In 2024, the University of Helsinki implemented for the first time the Sparkle funding scheme that supported members of the University community in implementing their sustainability ideas. In the projects, needs identified in the everyday life of the University community became concrete actions promoting sustainability
The aim of the Sparkle funding scheme was to encourage the University community to develop a culture supporting sustainability and responsibility and increase the visibility of related practices at the University's campuses and research stations. The funding enabled the implementation of 12 projects involving both students and staff as well as University alumni.
"The University community is highly committed to sustainability and responsibility efforts. In addition to the University, the projects now implemented impact the surrounding society and will leave their mark in everyday life in many respects," says Vice-Rector Anne Portaankorva, who oversees sustainability and responsibility at the University.
Sparkle funding supported a range of projects broadly from the perspective of sustainability and responsibility. Project themes focused on ecological, social and economic responsibility, ranging from the strengthening of biodiversity and social wellbeing to energy conservation and sustainable diet. In many of the Sparkle projects, scholarly research was concretely applied, such as in developing educational methods or the utilisation of biocarbon in planting.
Supporting biodiversity alongside community wellbeing inspired many contributors
One of the Sparkle projects was carried out at Viikki Campus, where the biodiversity-focused BioBlitz event invited the University community, schoolchildren and local residents to investigate and record the biodiversity of the surrounding natural environment. These observations were used to create instructional signs along the pedestrian route on campus, providing information and reminding passers-by of the significance of diversity.
"At BioBlitz, we saw the community come together with enthusiasm to document biodiversity. The previously established and managed wild meadows provided a strong foundation for the observations made during BioBlitz. Moving forward, visitors can explore local biodiversity through signposts along the route, which reflect both the meadows and the findings from the event," says University Researcher Anne Duplouy.
At Viikki, other projects included planting a forest garden and organising an interactive exhibition on nature-derived innovative construction and interior design materials. This project also investigated the effect of natural materials in breakout spaces on, for example, learning and bodily conditions in the Nature-Based Serenity Solutions Sparkle.
In addition to Viikki, the Kampusviljely ry association put up composts in campus gardening plots at Meilahti, Kumpula and the City Centre campuses. A space called Kasvun tila ('Space for growth') was also built on the asphalted area at Siltavuorenpenger, encompassing a greenhouse, planter boxes as well as knitting and literary art. The space provides a setting for a multidisciplinary scholarly and artistic gardening plot, and a place for engaging sustainability and arts education.
Social responsibility developed from multiple perspectives
In projects focused on social responsibility, the Helsinki Planetary Health Hub continued to build a network of sustainability operators active in the health sector and organised a seminar workshop for those interested in sustainability research and action.
Sparkle funding was also used on producing an animated video aimed at making guidelines pertaining to the academic partnerships in the Global South easier to approach and understand as well as facilitating their inclusion in teaching.
In addition, the project developing student-oriented approaches in support of inclusion and career paths in university studies designed practices that will improve the participation opportunities of students with a disability or long-term illness.
Other funded projects
- University of Helsinki Property Services Ltd produced an animated video on the energy-efficient use of fume hoods.
- The research stations of the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences promoted responsible kitchen operations through training.
- The Food Futures app supporting more sustainable meal choices was translated into Finnish.
